First smoked mind

Chapter 2 Osmanthus Cake

half a month later.

The early autumn morning is a bit cool, and the cool breeze blows on the face, bringing a burst of sweet-scented osmanthus fragrance, sweet taste, with a touch of intoxicating fragrance.Qiao Chuxun was walking in the market with a basket on her shoulders, and just a few steps away, she saw an old lady selling sun-dried sweet-scented osmanthus.In the two bamboo baskets, one contains early silver osmanthus, which is as white as snow, and the other contains big golden osmanthus, which is as bright as gold. .

Qiao Chuxun thought about it for a while, and went to the stall to inquire about the price.The old lady smiled and took out the dried leaves to wrap, and said: "Hey, this sweet-scented osmanthus is a good thing! Steam sweet cakes, make sugar cakes, pickle sweet-scented osmanthus honey, make sweet-scented osmanthus stuffing... There are so many good things that can be made. ..."

Qiao Chuxun smiled and said yes, but what he was thinking about was the medicinal effect of sweet-scented osmanthus, reducing phlegm and relieving cough, and warming up the body, which is perfect for the man in the house.When I had dinner two days ago, I heard him talking about wanting to drink. I will see if there is any sweet-scented osmanthus brewed on the street later... Tomorrow I will buy more and brew it myself. I guess it will be able to drink in Lidong .

After buying two packs of sweet-scented osmanthus, Qiao Chuxun took a fat and tender hen, some seasonal fresh vegetables, two small jars of stuffed sweet-scented osmanthus, and carried them back home in large and small bags.

The group of them arrived at Yuezhou Mansion three days ago, and the mansion seemed to be settled early in the morning, and they moved in that evening.The house is not big, from the outside it looks like the houses of ordinary rich and squires, but a lot of thought has been put into the inside, with all kinds of flower gardens and gazebos.Behind the main house where Jing Yi lives, there is a small semi-open-air hot spring water.

There were not many people accompanying her, except for her, there were only a dozen or so guards headed by Gao Ling, four of whom also acted as bearers of the sedan chair.In addition, there are neither maids nor cooks, so simple and somewhat shabby.

On the day he moved in, Qiao Chuxun told Jing Yi that she could take care of the cooking by herself, as long as she hired two more maids to help with chores and serve him, Jing Yi immediately agreed.Gao Ling posted a notice outside the mansion, but until yesterday evening, no one came to respond.

Qiao Chuxun thought all the way back to the mansion, and as soon as he reached the door, Gao Ling came out from inside.Seeing the big and small bags in Qiao Chuxun's arms, Gao Ling was also taken aback, hurriedly took the hen and two heavy things over, and said calmly, "Next time I go out so early, ask a brother to come with you. You, a girl, take so many things...it's not safe..."

Gao Ling didn't seem to be used to saying this kind of thing, he spoke the whole sentence intermittently, and his face looked a little unnatural.Qiao Chuxun was holding two small bags of sweet-scented osmanthus, and a vegetable basket in the other hand, with a peaceful smile on his lips: "I see, thank you."

Gao Ling was taken aback again, and turned his head to look at her, as if he didn't expect to be thanked for such a trivial matter.Although Qiao Chuxun has been in charge of the meals for more than a dozen people in the mansion these two days, she doesn't look like a woman from a small family in terms of appearance, temperament, behavior and speech. It is especially special when words like thank you come from her mouth. weird.

Qiao Chuxun didn't seem to feel that there was anything wrong, and asked with a smile, "Have you recruited yet?"

Gao Ling nodded, looking a little distressed.Could it be that there is something wrong with the notice he wrote, and the salary is too little?Two renminbi a month is not low...

Qiao Chuxun put the things on the long table, and smiled at him comfortingly: "It's okay. I can handle these tasks by myself. It's mainly with Mr. Jing." Although he already knew Jing Yi's true identity, but Everyone tacitly called him son.

Gao Ling showed a bit of a bitter smile: "Young Master said, there is no need for someone to take care of him. He has always had brothers taking turns to take care of him, which is not bad."

Qiao Chuxun took out a water ladle, poured some golden osmanthus into it, and scooped some cold water to wash away the layer of floating soil on the stamens.He went to the wooden cabinet and found a celadon tea set.She bought the tea set on the street yesterday. The porcelain is fine and moist, and the glaze color on it is light. After haggling with someone for a long time, she finally bought a whole set for 15 taels of silver, with two small wine bottles of the same color as a gift.

"Wait a minute, I'll deliver the tea to you later. I'll cook right away." Qiao Chuxun said, and began to make tea quickly.

Put a pinch of washed sweet-scented osmanthus in the teapot, and pour boiling hot water into it.Gently brushing the steaming heat, Qiao Chuxun covered the teapot, took two cups and put them on the tray.He took out the jar of honey from the cupboard, and put two spoonfuls of honey on a small saucer.Finally, I handed the tray to Gao Ling, and smiled slightly: "Here, let the young master drink it while it's hot. It's good for his body. If you feel the taste is astringent, pour some honey." The sweet-scented osmanthus tea is definitely fragrant, but it may be the taste It wasn't sweet enough, so Qiao Chuxun put a small dish of honey on the side.

Gao Ling took a breath and couldn't help sighing, "It smells so good!"

Qiao Chuxun pursed her lips and smiled: "I will steam sweet-scented osmanthus cake for you later, if you are in a hurry to eat it, come back in half an hour."

Gao Ling resisted the urge to swallow, nodded and left with the sweet-scented osmanthus tea.

Qiao Chuxun scooped some japonica rice flour from a small jar beside it, poured a small amount of glutinous rice flour, mixed it with cold water while slowly stirring it with chopsticks, and then sprinkled some sugar into it.

After kneading the noodles for a while, I put a thin damp cloth on the small basin and put it aside.I washed some sweet-scented osmanthus flowers as before, put them in a small bowl, scooped a few tablespoons of honey in, picked up chopsticks and stirred gently.

While waking up, Qiao Chuxun went to the yard, chopped a small piece of bamboo with a knife, took it back to the kitchen and cleaned it, and used it as a mold for making sweet cakes.

The dough is cut with a knife and divided in half.Half use the bamboo tube to buckle out a round and fat shape, cut it in the middle, scoop in a spoonful of sweet-scented osmanthus honey that has been prepared in advance, knead it with your hands, cover the head and decorate with two sweet-scented osmanthus flowers, and steam it in a pot.The other half is cut into thin slices with a knife, steamed in a pan, then brushed with a layer of sweet-scented osmanthus dipped in honey, put in the pan and turned over twice.Soon, there was a sweet scent of sweet-scented osmanthus in the room.

As soon as Qiao Chuxun put the fried sweet-scented osmanthus soft cake on the plate, there were already three or four people crowded at the door, all squinting their eyes to look inside, not daring to make a sound.Qiao Chuxun turned around and was startled by several people.It happened that Gao Ling walked over, knocked on the heads of several people one by one, and looked at Qiao Chuxun with a smile, seeming very happy.

Qiao Chuxun sent the soft fried osmanthus cake in Gao Ling's hand, and smiled politely at the others: "It was made for you, so you have to eat it while it's hot."

The few people thanked each other, each timidly reached out to take a piece from the plate in Gao Ling's hand, brought it to his mouth and took a big bite.Whoa!The outer skin is golden and crisp, and the inner is soft and glutinous glutinous rice stuffing. One bite, and some honey juice overflows. Chewing twice, the mouth is filled with the rich fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus.The quick-handed person hurriedly took another piece from the plate, while smiling, he praised Qiao Chuxun repeatedly: "It's so delicious! And it's not too sweet...it's delicious!"

Seeing that there were only the last two pieces of sweet-scented osmanthus cake left on the plate, Gao Ling coughed twice, the claw that stretched out trembled, and retracted unwillingly.Only then did Gao Ling look at Qiao Chuxun: "Young master tasted the tea and drank two cups in a row. I'll come over and get some more honey."

Qiao Chuxun also picked out the steamed sweet-scented osmanthus cake at the moment, and handed it to the little ant standing beside Gao Ling who was staring at the remaining two pieces of soft fried sweet-scented osmanthus cake: "Try this."

The few people standing at the door swarmed up again.While eating, he exhaled inarticulately: "It's so hot!" "Wow, there is osmanthus honey in it, so sweet..." "These two osmanthus flowers are very fragrant!" "Well, delicious..."

Qiao Chuxun smiled and poured a small dish of honey into Gao Ling's hands, and put two pieces of steamed sweet-scented osmanthus sweet cakes for him: "Young master is not in good health, you should not eat fried food. The two pieces of sweet-scented osmanthus cake There are less sweets in it, so you can give it to him to taste."

Gao Ling turned around with his things in his hand, and gave the foodies at the door a vicious look: "What are you doing around here, why should you go?"

Qiao Chuxun brought out another plate of sweet cakes, and handed it to one of them: "These are for the other people." Xiao Wan who took the plate was moved, and the brothers were always thinking about it, Miss Qiao very nice!At the same time, he quickly took a piece from the top of the plate and hid it in his sleeve... The other three looked at him with contempt.

Qiao Chuxun turned around and started preparing lunch.The chicken has been rinsed, the breast meat is carefully cut off, and the whole chicken is stuffed into a small soup pot with a small piece of Ganoderma lucidum and other warming herbs.There are all kinds of medicinal materials in the mansion, and there is no lack of great tonics such as ginseng and ganoderma. They are all brought all the way from the capital. It seems that Jingyi has been ill for quite a long time.

Then choose vegetables, wash vegetables, chop vegetables... About an hour later, a lunch is finally finished.For everyone, there are fried pork ribs with green onions, stir-fried three shredded pork ribs, stir-fried wild chives with eggs, cold radish, and finally a big pot of hot and fragrant pork rib soup.

The dishes for Jing Yi are prepared separately.A small cup of chicken porridge, skim off all the slick oil in the chicken soup. The porridge is cooked with japonica rice, and some finely chopped yams are put in it. It looks light in color, but has a mellow taste.The chicken breast cooked in white water is cut into thin shreds, mixed with some sweet and slightly sour sauce.In addition, I also made a mountain home three crispy.Freshly picked mushrooms, mountain bamboo shoots, and goji berries from the mountains were cut into thin strips, blanched in boiling water, and mixed with some sesame oil and sweet vinegar.

While blanching the vegetables, Qiao Chuxun also scalded half a pot of sweet-scented osmanthus wine, which could probably pour three cups of wine.Finally put together on the tray.

Gao Ling waited in the kitchen to help serve the dishes, and everyone ate in the side hall.Qiao Chuxun brought a few meals into Jingyi's bedroom, and when he entered the room, he was greeted with a sweet scent of sweet-scented osmanthus.Jing Yi was wearing extraordinarily thick clothes. At the beginning of autumn, the robe on his body was already sandwiched with brocade material, and the fox fur scarf from before was still wrapped around his neck. Sipping slowly.

Qiao Chuxun put the tray on the table, walked to a position about three feet away from the side of the couch, stopped, lowered her eyes and said softly, "My lord, let's eat."

Jing Yi put down his teacup, still holding the book in his hand, seeing the obedient look in front of him, he frowned for no reason: "Why don't you raise your eyes?"

Qiao Chuxun was taken aback for a moment, then raised her eyes obediently, with an appropriate smile on her lips: "It's getting cold, and the food is getting cold quickly. Do you want to use it here, sir, or go to the other side of the table? "

Jing Yi put down the book, looked into her eyes, and said slowly, "Bring it here."

Qiao Chuxun responded, took away the dry tea set on the small table, and brought over the tray with meals.He opened the lid of the small cup first, then handed over a spoon, and said softly, "Drink some porridge while it's hot."

Jing Yi was a little surprised when he saw the wine cup beside him, and sniffled again: "Osmanthus brewing?"

Qiao Chuxun responded, picked up the jug and filled the wine cup: "Master's current physical condition, it's okay to drink less wine. But pay attention to the type, and it's better to scald it."

Jing Yi picked up the wine cup and took a sip, then put it down slowly.

Qiao Chuxun watched from the side, saw him frowning, and asked softly, "Why, it doesn't suit your taste?"

Jing Yi raised his eyes to look at her, swallowed the wine in his mouth, and said slowly: "It's not good." Then he added in a low voice, "Tea and sweet cake are both good."

Qiao Chuxun curled his lips: "I bought the wine. I will buy more sweet-scented osmanthus tomorrow and make some fermented rice. It will probably be ready to drink by Lidong."

Jing Yi took a bite of the thinly sliced ​​chicken and chewed it twice: "The sauce is good, but the taste is a bit bland."

Qiao Chuxun smiled slightly: "You are not in good health, you should not eat too salty."

Jing Yi tasted the Shanjia three crispy dishes again, and said slowly: "This is delicious." The mushrooms are fragrant, the mountain bamboo shoots are sweet and crisp, the wolfberry vegetables are tender, and the three kinds of mountain vegetables are mixed together, and the taste is delicious. Fragrant, very refreshing.

Qiao Chuxun waited at the side.After about a moment, Jing Yi finished his lunch, took the handkerchief she handed over, and wiped the corners of his lips.As if thinking of something suddenly, the slender eyebrows raised slightly: "Have you eaten?"

Qiao Chuxun curled the corners of her lips: "I've eaten." Then she started to pack up the bowls and chopsticks, carried the tray down, and soon brought over a pot of sweet-scented osmanthus tea. Also added hawthorn slices and Codonopsis.As usual, a small dish of honey was placed beside it.

Jing Yi took a sip of the tea soup, and a slight surprise appeared in his eyes: "The taste is different from before!" The previous sweet-scented osmanthus tea was sweet and moist, with a hint of bitterness, and the sweet fragrance was particularly intoxicating.The aroma of osmanthus in this pot of tea has faded, but the taste is stronger, sweet and sour, and there is a faint smell of ginseng slices.

Qiao Chuxun smiled: "The pot was brewed directly before, but this pot is boiled, and some other things are added in it, which may have a stronger taste."

"I'm going down first." After finishing speaking, he took a few steps backwards before turning around and leaving the house.

Jing Yi leaned on the couch, took a sip of sweet-scented osmanthus tea with a stronger taste, and looked thoughtfully at the figure that was walking away with his eyes stained with light water vapor.

(End of this chapter)